Colorado Rapids Weekly Team Update

June 27, 2010

COMMERCE CITY CO (Oct. 1 2008) – The Rapids' first team got an extra day of rest this week which was well-earned following their explosive 5-4 win in New York on Saturday which capped an undefeated month of September for Colorado.

The entire squad had Monday off with the Reserve players returning to the training pitch Tuesday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Some first team members took their rare free time during the course of the season to see family members in different parts of the country or escape to the mountains and enjoy the many pleasures of living in Colorado.

With a return back to business on Wednesday the full squad looked focused as they worked through Gary Smith’s drills under a hot October sun.......even though it's autumn temperatures hovered around 80 degrees out at the Park all week. The team will have no more time to rest as they must switch focus quickly with the 2-time defending MLS Champion Houston Dynamo coming to town this Saturday.

Of the four remaining regular season games for the Rapids two are against teams ahead of Colorado in the Western Conference (Houston and Chivas USA) and one is vs. Real Salt Lake who are tied with the Rapids for third place in the West. Their match on Oct. 25 will also determine the winner of this year’s Rocky Mountain Cup as the standings are currently even.

The Rapids need to secure as many points as possible in this final stretch of the season with 13 teams still vying for the final seven available playoff spots.

All is pretty quiet on the Rapids’ injury front. Justin Hughes remains the lone player out with his season-ending shoulder injury. Justin is moving along his rehab stages increasing his conditioning and mobility on the sidelines with Strength and Conditioning Coach Jamie Heiner.

Tom McManus is the only other player listed on the club’s IR. Injuring his left knee two weeks ago against New England Tom was kept out of last week’s contest at New York but has been participating fully in the team’s training sessions this week.

WEEKLY TEAM NOTES

Four or More a Winning Score: Following the Rapids' 5-4 victory in New York on Saturday Colorado are a perfect 3-0 this season when scoring four or more goals in a match. Only two other times in the club’s 13-year history have the Rapids scored four or more goals three times in a season (1996 and 1998). Colorado are 8-1-0 all-time in games in which they have scored four or more goals with their only defeat coming on May 6 1998 in a 4-7 loss at LA.

Rapids Road Trip Footage: Ever wonder what life for the Rapids players is like on the road? Then SportZu.tv is the place for you to get an exclusive look into the Rapids' recent trip to Washington D.C. Check out exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the players in the airport at practice in RFK Stadium and even visiting the White House. Click here to go to SportZu.tv's Rapids-specific video section.

Rapids Playoff Watch: With just five games remaining the Rapids occupy the third seed in the Western Conference with their 34 points. This year the top three teams in each conference make the playoffs as well as the next two teams with the highest point total regardless of conference. Colorado currently hold the tiebreaker over Real Salt Lake because of their superior goal-differential as the teams are tied on points and even head-to-head. As of now Columbus have been the only team to clinch a playoff spot. Nobody has been eliminated from contention either with just six points separating last place from the final playoff berth. For a full breakdown and look inside the race to the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs click here.

Rapids Food Drive This Saturday: Help the Rapids feed the needy! The Rapids will be collecting non-perishable food items prior to Saturday's match from 6:30-7:30pm outside of Gates B and G. All donations will benefit Food Bank of the Rockies. Every fan who donates food or canned goods will receive a buy-one-get-one free ticket offer for the Rapids' final regular season game of the year vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday October 25!